The Foundation for the Horse will award $5,000 Merck Animal Health Scholarships to five outstanding veterinary students intent on careers in equine practice thanks to a generous $25,000 grant from Merck Animal Health.

The 2023 awards will be presented at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) 69th Annual Convention in San Diego, Calif., Nov. 29–Dec. 3.

The Merck Animal Health Scholarship program, managed through The Foundation for the Horse, rewards veterinary students at colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean and Europe for their academic excellence, leadership in their school and AAEP student chapter, and their long-term goals in equine practice. Applicants must also have the support of AAEP members and their clinical instructors. The scholarship is open to veterinary students graduating in 2025.

“Merck Animal Health is pleased to provide scholarships to these deserving students as they pursue an education and career in equine veterinary medicine,” said Bryant W. Craig, DVM, Merck Animal Health Equine Professional Services Associate Director. “As the costs of higher education continue to rise, helping to offset some of that expense is one of the ways we continue to give back to our industry and its future leaders. We are a proud partner with the AAEP, and many thanks goes to their leadership and members for their help in administering this program that not only impacts award winners but all of us involved in this amazing profession.”

The AAEP Foundation, the forerunner of The Foundation for the Horse, established this scholarship in 2015. The award is made possible through gifts made by AAEP Educational Partner Merck Animal Health. Since award of the first Merck Animal Health Scholarships in 2015, 40 veterinary students have benefited from a cumulative $200,000 in support of their equine veterinary pursuits.

The application deadline for this scholarship is April 15. For more information or to apply, visit www.foundationforthehorse.org/scholarships.  

About Merck Animal Health

For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being, and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter at @MerckAH.

About The Foundation for the Horse

Established in 1994, The Foundation for the Horse is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to improving the welfare of the horse through Education, Research, and help for Horses at Risk. It is governed and stewarded by world-renowned equine veterinarians and equine stakeholders. In 2022, and for the second consecutive year, The Foundation awarded over $1 million in scholarships and grants to impact equine health and well-being throughout the U.S. and developing countries. To learn more, visit www.foundationforthehorse.org.